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Artwork for Switched on Pop

Switched on Pop

Vulture
Pop Music
Hip Hop
Country Music
Music Industry
Taylor Swift
Madonna
Spotify
Billie Eilish
Tiktok
Sabrina Carpenter
Reggaeton
Beyoncé
Billboard Hot 100
Oasis
Electronic Music
Max Martin
Chappell Roan
American Music
Tate Mcrae
Robyn

Listen closer to pop music, and hear how it moves us. Hosted by musicologist Nate Sloan & songwriter Charlie Harding. From Vulture and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes548Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music CommentaryMusicMusic Interviews

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Artwork for Switched on Pop

Latest Episodes

For many people – including Charlie and Nate – studying classical piano as a child always felt like a chore. Now, as adults, there’s a newfound appreciation for classical music, but the art form isn’t always accessible. One of the people trying to ch... more

Bridges open up the world of a song: they're a breath of fresh air and a point of contrast, typically delivered right before the final chorus. But sometimes they accomplish even more, changing the whole meaning of a song by introducing a note of doub... more

The chorus was once the part of the song that brought us together, the place we gathered to sing. Now it's the most engineered thirty seconds in music. Legendary producer Trevor Horn and hip-hop icon B-Real of Cypress Hill help Charlie and Nate answe... more

Everybody sings the chorus, but superfans quote the verse. On this episode of Switched on Pop, Charlie and Nate trace the verse from Shakespeare through opera to TikTok, and songwriter Audrey Hobert shares her philosophy of specific verses and anthem... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Trevor Horn
Legendary producer, started as a song fixer and later created iconic choruses
The Buggles; Trevor Horn Productions
Episode: III. Preaching to the Chorus (ft. Cypress Hill and Trevor Horn)
Audrey Hobert
Songwriter and artist featured on the episode
Collaborator with Gracie Abrams; artist of Who's The Clown; co-writer of That's So True (with Gracie Abrams)
Episode: II. Justice for the verse (ft. Audrey Hobert)
Grace Dorman
Music writer and professional playlist maker
Episode: I. Let's get it started (ft. Aaron Dessner)
Aaron Dessner
Music producer and member of The National, collaborated with Taylor Swift
The National / Taylor Swift collaborations
Episode: I. Let's get it started (ft. Aaron Dessner)
Jocie Adams
Vocalist, musician, and arranger for Arc Iris
Arc Iris
Episode: How a sci-fi dystopia became a personal utopia (ft. Arc Iris)
Zach Tenorio
Keyboardist for Arc Iris
Arc Iris
Episode: How a sci-fi dystopia became a personal utopia (ft. Arc Iris)
Josette Maskin
Member of MUNA, guitarist/producer
MUNA
Episode: Why bands give us purpose (ft. MUNA)
Katie Gavin
Member of MUNA, vocalist
MUNA
Episode: Why bands give us purpose (ft. MUNA)
Naomi McPherson
Member of MUNA, guitarist/keyboardist
MUNA
Episode: Why bands give us purpose (ft. MUNA)

Hosts

Nate Sloan
Host of the show, musicologist
Charlie Harding
Host of Switched on Pop, songwriter

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 5.6k ratings
  • Multigen fun

    My teen son and I bond over our mutual love of this podcast. As a Millennial mom, it keeps me current. I know it exposes him to a backlog of artistic influences from…the 1900s. 😎

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bes9r3
    United Statesa month ago
  • Very Insightful

    Hi Switched on Pop,

    Thank you for such insightful music reviews 🤩. I learn a lot from you.

    I would love it if you did an episode on the burgeoning South African genre, Amapiano, and particularly Tyla’s role in taking it to the world.

    I think the genre has such a rich and inspiring history, especially when one considers that it was created by young people in South African urban townships, often without many resources or any formal musical education.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SoSo Poppy
    South Africa2 months ago
  • Kendrick Super Fan for Drake Review

    Here go some Haterade get your thirst quenched

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    anthonyfares
    United States2 months ago
  • Love love love this show!

    I love this show. I learn so much and love how deep you go into the music. So now for my request…how about a Noah Kahan episode!!??

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    woodcreeper
    United States2 months ago
  • A little like navel gazing

    Don’t get me wrong these dudes seem to know their stuff when it comes to western pop and western influences on some music. When it comes to Kpop well I’d listen to the communication professor from USC (?) as she seems more informed. So “normal” pop ya give these guys a try but stepping outside that wheelhouse? They don’t seem to do much research as stuff was flying over their heads.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Nights Ending
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners wish for more coverage outside Western pop or more focus on certain artists.
Listeners often praise deep musical analysis and entertaining banter, with many noting strong host chemistry.
Positive feedback frequently highlights thoughtful guest selections and accessible explanations of complex topics.
Fans appreciate the mentorship angle and emphasis on industry pathways.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Rostam reimagines American music
Q: How do you begin producing an album when working with different collaborators?
He describes a flexible approach: sometimes starting from scratch in the studio, other times building around the artist's initial idea, with collaborative production shaping the final sound.
Rostam reimagines American music
Q: What is the feeling you're telling us about in this album?
Rostam explains that the album explores intimate relationships and emotional ownership within a broader, optimistic vision of the American project, balancing personal vulnerability with a larger sense of national identity.
BTS is back. But K Pop is not the same.
Q: Hye Jin, what was your reaction when you heard this album title and heard this interpolation of this Korean folk song in the opening track of the album?
Hye Jin explains that using Arirang as a framework creates a bold, high-visibility through-line that anchors the album in Korean heritage while still opening space for global, contemporary pop influences. She notes the careful balance BTS strikes between tradition and modernity, and how the interpolation signals intentional Koreanness in a world-ready package.
Learning to Love Train: "Drops of Jupiter" is back in the atmosphere
Q: Did you ever imagine Drops of Jupiter would have this kind of longevity?
No, never. We didn't expect it to last this long, and the success came with its own set of pressures and expectations, which shaped how we approached future music and public reception.
Learning to Love Train: "Drops of Jupiter" is back in the atmosphere
Q: Charlie, I'm going to name some things and you tell me what they make you think of, okay?
Things like Mozart, Taibo, fried chicken and the best soy latte you've ever had evoke a mixture of nostalgia, specificity, and personal anchors that inform the song's grounded storytelling, ultimately contributing to its lasting resonance.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Switched on Pop

What is Switched on Pop about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A music-focused show that breaks down pop through detailed musicology, production, and composition analysis, often featuring guest artists, producers, and educators who illuminate craft and cultural context. Episodes commonly blend technical deep-dives with banter and storytelling, covering topics from track-by-track analyses and vocal arrangements to artist identity, industry pathways, and cross-genre experimentation. A standout is the ability to translate complex musical concepts into accessible discussions, making it inviting for listeners who crave both rigor and personality. The show frequently highlights mentorship, training programs, and collaborations, offering practical takeaways for aspiring musicians, creators, and industry profe... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Switched on Pop?

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How many listeners does Switched on Pop get?

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What are the audience demographics for Switched on Pop?

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How many subscribers and views does Switched on Pop have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Switched on Pop has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Switched on Pop?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Switched on Pop:

1. Popcast
2. Song Exploder
3. Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia
4. Pop Culture Happy Hour
5. The Sam Sanders Show

How many episodes of Switched on Pop are there?

Switched on Pop launched 12 years ago and published 548 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Switched on Pop?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Switched on Pop?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Switched on Pop from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Switched on Pop?

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What guests have appeared on Switched on Pop?

Recent guests on Switched on Pop include:

1. Trevor Horn
2. Audrey Hobert
3. Grace Dorman
4. Aaron Dessner
5. Jocie Adams
6. Zach Tenorio
7. Josette Maskin
8. Katie Gavin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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